Player ratings - Spurs 2 Sunderland 1

Chris Young

SUNDERLAND reporter Chris Young rates the Black Cats players after a fourth defeat in five Premier League outings.

PANTILIMON 8 - No chance with either goal, but produced superb saves to deny Eriksen, Kane and Chadli.

O’Shea 7 - Thwarted Spurs repeatedly during the second half, with the hosts limited to long-range efforts, despite their dominance in possession.

Brown 7 - Like O’Shea, continuously took the ball out of danger, on the left of Sunderland’s three central defenders.

Vergini 5 - Improved in the second half, but weak clearance for the opening goal and played Soldado onside when he went through one-on-one.

Jones 6 - Solid display, yet didn’t get forward as much as he would have liked.

Van Aanholt 7 - Wing back role probably suits him more than playing at full-back. Produced several smart defensive interceptions, on top of his forays forward.

Larsson 7 - Peach of a free-kick complemented a positive display in a midfield trio.

Rodwell 7 - First half was one of his best 45 minutes in a Sunderland shirt, with several excellent challenges and passes. Couldn’t maintain that pressing tempo in second half.

Johnson 7 - Looked the part as the most attacking member of the midfield trio. Might suit him to play in the hole.

Defoe 7 - Plenty of positive signs from the debutant. Couple of half chances just didn’t run for him, but showed that he will persistently linger on the last man. (Graham 6 - Two great chances to find the net, but at least making an impression off the bench).

Fletcher 5 - Should have scored just before Larsson’s equaliser and over-hit a pass to Defoe, when he had made an excellent overlapping run. (Wickham 5 - Made no impression whatsoever when Poyet was looking for an attacking platform).